Luthor List Mound
Encyclopedia
The Luthor List Mound is an archaeological site
of the Adena culture
in the southern part of the U.S. state
of Ohio
. Located in Pickaway County
near the city of Circleville
, this Native American mound sits along the Kingston Pike, southeast of Circleville in Circleville Township
.
As one of the largest burial mounds
in Pickaway County, the Luthor List Mound is believed to contain the skeletons of many leading members of the society that built it. The mound's location on top of a small ridge, far from major bodies of water, is indicative that it was built by Adenan peoples, who often buried their chieftains in mounds such as the Luthor List Mound. Such mounds were typically built in stages: individuals would be buried within small mounds, and the resulting mound cluster would be covered with earth and converted into a single large mound.
Unlike many of the region's conical mounds, the Luthor List Mound has seen very little damage since white settlement of the region. Located on a ridgeline, the mound sits at an elevation of 735 feet (224 m). With a diameter of at least 75 feet (22.9 m) in all directions, it is 12 feet (3.7 m) high; the erosion
caused by the plows of past farmers has not damaged the Luthor List Mound because of its location — sitting atop the ridgeline and covered with trees, it is not an ideal farming location. In recognition of its archaeological value, the Luthor List Mound was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1974.
Archaeological site
An archaeological site is a place in which evidence of past activity is preserved , and which has been, or may be, investigated using the discipline of archaeology and represents a part of the archaeological record.Beyond this, the definition and geographical extent of a 'site' can vary widely,...
of the Adena culture
Adena culture
The Adena culture was a Pre-Columbian Native American culture that existed from 1000 to 200 BC, in a time known as the early Woodland Period. The Adena culture refers to what were probably a number of related Native American societies sharing a burial complex and ceremonial system...
in the southern part of the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. Located in Pickaway County
Pickaway County, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 52,727 people, 17,599 households, and 13,287 families residing in the county. The population density was 105 people per square mile . There were 18,596 housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile...
near the city of Circleville
Circleville, Ohio
Circleville is a city in and the county seat of Pickaway County, Ohio, United States, along the Scioto River. The population was 13,485 at the 2000 census.-History:...
, this Native American mound sits along the Kingston Pike, southeast of Circleville in Circleville Township
Circleville Township, Pickaway County, Ohio
Circleville Township is one of the fifteen townships of Pickaway County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 2,300 people in the township.-Geography:Located in the eastern part of the county, it borders the following townships:...
.
As one of the largest burial mounds
Tumulus
A tumulus is a mound of earth and stones raised over a grave or graves. Tumuli are also known as barrows, burial mounds, Hügelgrab or kurgans, and can be found throughout much of the world. A tumulus composed largely or entirely of stones is usually referred to as a cairn...
in Pickaway County, the Luthor List Mound is believed to contain the skeletons of many leading members of the society that built it. The mound's location on top of a small ridge, far from major bodies of water, is indicative that it was built by Adenan peoples, who often buried their chieftains in mounds such as the Luthor List Mound. Such mounds were typically built in stages: individuals would be buried within small mounds, and the resulting mound cluster would be covered with earth and converted into a single large mound.
Unlike many of the region's conical mounds, the Luthor List Mound has seen very little damage since white settlement of the region. Located on a ridgeline, the mound sits at an elevation of 735 feet (224 m). With a diameter of at least 75 feet (22.9 m) in all directions, it is 12 feet (3.7 m) high; the erosion
Erosion
Erosion is when materials are removed from the surface and changed into something else. It only works by hydraulic actions and transport of solids in the natural environment, and leads to the deposition of these materials elsewhere...
caused by the plows of past farmers has not damaged the Luthor List Mound because of its location — sitting atop the ridgeline and covered with trees, it is not an ideal farming location. In recognition of its archaeological value, the Luthor List Mound was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1974.